Preventing Healthcare-Associated Legionellosis: Results after 3 Years of Continuous Disinfection of Hot Water with Monochloramine and an Effective Water Safety Plan

Maria Anna Coniglio, Margherita Ferrante and Mohamed H. Yassin
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Maria Anna Coniglio: Legionella Reference Laboratory, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
Margherita Ferrante: Hygiene Complex Operative Unit, A.O.U. Policlinico—Vittorio Emanuele, via S. Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
Mohamed H. Yassin: Infection Control Department, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to report the experience of the implementation and application of a 3-year Water Safety Plan (WSP) together with the secondary disinfection of water by monochloramine to control and prevent healthcare-associated legionellosis in an Italian hospital strongly colonized by Legionella . Risk assessment was carried out by the WSP team. The main critical control points focused on in developing the WSP for the control of Legionella was the water distribution system. A sampling plan for the detection of Legionella was implemented. A widespread contamination of the hot water distribution system by L. pneumophila sg5 was found. Results after 3 years of the continuous disinfection of hot water with monochloramine indicate the eradication of Legionella . The implementation and application of a WSP in a hospital, together with the disinfection of the water distribution system with monochloramine, can be effective in controlling the growth of Legionella and in preventing nosocomial legionellosis.

Keywords: Legionella; Water Safety Plan; monochloramine; risk assessment; water distribution system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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